[Shotimes] Is our suspension travel really that short???

Josh Salaets jsalaets@msn.com
Thu, 23 Jan 2003 10:10:54 -0800


**Note:  Hopefully I am not reposting this and my last message to the list.  I
never recalled seeing them show up when I posted them because I had some mail
settings screwed up that probably blocked me from posting.  Now they're fixed.
If this is a repost, I apologize.**


Hey Everyone

We FINALLY got done with some work on my friend's 95.  We spent the past
couple of days removing and trimming the GM rear control arms, replacing the
rear proportioning valve, and pulling out his coilovers to try some different
spring rates.

Since we decided to go with a 300 lb spring rate spring up front (came with
600 lb) on the coilovers, we installed some stock size bump stops on the Konis
in case they ever bottomed out.  Unfortunately when we lowered the car, there
was NO suspension travel, as it was sitting on the bump stops.  My car with
the Intrax springs and bump stops was sitting only about one inch higher than
my friend's SHO, so we adjusted his coilovers to be the same height as my car,
giving him just barely an inch of suspension travel.  This would mean anyone
running the Intrax or Eibach front springs with stock bump stops also only has
1-2 inches of travel up front AT MOST.

I don't think I have hit the bump stops on my car since I replaced a blown
Koni, so does this mean that our cars really only function with 1" of travel
up front with aftermarket springs, even less with coilovers, and only 3 or so
inches stock?  If so, is there any way to improve suspension travel while
keeping the car low and looking good?

THANKS!

Josh Salaets
95 Taurus SHO (See it at www.cardomain.com/id/sh0gun)
85 Omni GLH-T (Autocrosser)
Eugene, OR